Being congested can be frustrating. Constantly having to carry tissues and being unable to focus due to the inability to breathe can cause you to feel desperate for a solution. Congestion can occur due to a wide range of different conditions including allergies, sinus infections, and mild illnesses like colds. Depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms, treatment options may vary. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, our walk-in clinic offers patients in Bound Brook and Bridgewater, NJ same-day illness symptom diagnosis and treatment! Simply walk into the clinic, we’re open 7 days a week including on weekends.
Common Causes of Nasal Congestion
If you’re congested, the best way to treat your symptoms is to identify the underlying cause. Congestion can happen for many different reasons. If your congestion is lingering or worsening over time, it may be caused by an illness or infection. Colds, the flu, and bacterial infections like sinus infections can all lead to persistent congestion that is hard to shake. If your congestion comes and goes, it may be caused by an irritant like seasonal allergies. Treatment options for congestion will vary depending on the underlying cause of your symptoms.
Nasal Congestion Diagnosis & Treatment
Self-diagnosing the cause of congestion can be difficult. It is important to seek medical care if you have congestion that won’t go away, or if you are experiencing additional symptoms such as a fever or a productive cough. A medical professional will be able to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and suggest a course of treatment. If your congestion is caused by an illness, your medical provider may suggest at-home care tips or prescribe antibiotics for bacterial infections. Congestion caused by allergies requires maintenance using antihistamines to prevent symptoms.
Treatment for congestion typically revolves around managing the symptoms while treating the underlying condition. Taking hot showers to break up the mucus, flushing your sinuses with a sinus rinse kit, and taking over the counter decongestants can all help manage your congestion. However, it is still important to seek medical care for your symptoms to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of them.
When to Seek Medical Care
If you are congested, it may be tempting to ignore your symptoms and wait for them to go away on their own. However, in some cases, this approach has risks. Congestion can lead to blockages in the nasal passages and lead to a more serious secondary infection like a sinus infection. It is important to seek medical care if your congestion continues to worsen over time or is accompanied by a fever because these symptoms could suggest that you’re developing a sinus infection. Similarly, if your congestion lasts for more than a week you should seek medical care. Your medical provider will be able to diagnose the cause of your symptoms and provide the necessary treatment to get you back on the road to recovery.
Visit AFC Bound Brook for Same-Day Care in Bound Brook & Bridgewater, NJ
If you’re feeling congested it is important to seek medical care. At AFC Urgent Care Bound Brook, our team of board-certified medical providers are available 7 days a week to provide prompt illness care when you need it! Our walk-in clinic maintains short wait times and offers care for the whole family. We are equipped to treat a wide variety of conditions, including colds and sinus infections. Our clinic works with most medical insurance providers. Walk-in today!
